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Complications affecting preterm neonates from 1991 to 2006: what have we gained?
Article first published online: 8 JAN 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01648.x
© 2010 The Author(s)/Journal Compilation © 2010 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica
Additional Information
How to Cite
Groenendaal, F., Termote, J., Van Der Heide-Jalving, M., Van Haastert, I. and De Vries, L. (2010), Complications affecting preterm neonates from 1991 to 2006: what have we gained?. Acta Pædiatrica, 99: 354–358. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01648.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 1 FEB 2010
- Article first published online: 8 JAN 2010
- Received 9 July 2009; revised 30 October 2009; accepted 24 November 2009.
Keywords:
- Complications;
- Neurodevelopment;
- Prematurity;
- Trends
Abstract
Aim: In this study, we determined whether outcome of preterm neonates has improved over a period of 16 years.
Study design: Inborn neonates with a gestational age of 25.0–29.9 weeks were included. Patients with severe congenital malformations were excluded. Mortality and morbidity (chronic lung disease; CLD, intraventricular haemorrhage: IVH grade III or IV, cystic periventricular leukomalacia: cPVL, perforated necrotizing enterocolitis: NEC, severe retinopathy of prematurity needing surgery: ROP and cerebral palsy: CP) were compared in three periods (period 1: 1991–1996 n = 434; period 2: 1997–2001 n = 356; period 3: 2002–2006 n = 422).
Results: Infant mortality decreased from 15.2% to 10.9%. CLD did not differ significantly between periods (14.1–14.8%). Perforated NEC decreased from 2.8% to 1.6%. IVH grade III and IV both remained at 5.7% in period 3, whereas cPVL decreased significantly from 4.5% to 1.6%. Cerebral palsy decreased from 5.8% to 3.5% in period 3. Two neonates in each period were in need of surgery for ROP.
Conclusion: Inborn preterm patients showed an improved survival and a significant reduction in cPVL and CP. Perforated NEC showed a trend to decrease. CLD and IVH grade III and IV remain a matter of concern.